Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho believes Kylian Mbappe deserves to win the Ballon d’Or, arguing the award should recognize the world’s best individual player rather than simply go to someone who lifted the World Cup or Champions League.
Mourinho made the case for his star forward Saturday ahead of Real Madrid’s La Liga match against promoted Malaga, pointing to Mbappe’s record-breaking World Cup campaign and his individual dominance despite a lack of major team trophies.
“The best players in the world, there are two, three or four of them, and we know who they are: They’re here,” Mourinho told reporters.
“For me there is one who, individually, made history this summer.”
Mourinho was referring to Mbappe becoming the leading scorer in World Cup history during France’s title-winning campaign. The 27-year-old finished the tournament with 10 goals, taking his career total to 22 and moving one ahead of Lionel Messi. Both players had already surpassed Miroslav Klose’s previous record of 16.
